The Concordia Women's Basketball team posted a 18-7 overall record, 15-5 and tied for third in the MIAC. It was Concordia's 23rd consecutive winning season and their 16th consecutive top-3 MIAC finish. 

The Cobbers were led by two 2-time All-MIAC senior forwards, Ann Mehrkens (97 Goodhue) and Holly Zollar ('97 Barnesville) and junior center Leah Sonstelie ('98 Fosston). 

Mehrkens ended her four year Cobber career with 1,031 points. She became the 14th Cobber women's basketball player to reach the 1000 career point mark. Her 718 career rebounds put her 6th on the Cobber all-time list for career rebounds. Ann finished 6th in MIAC rebounding per game (7.9) and 7th in the league in FG% at 50.5%.

Zollar earned her third MIAC All-Defensive team honor while averaging 11 points and 5.6 rebounds. She was also named an Academic All-MIAC Athlete for a second time. 

Leah Sonstelie led the Cobbers in scoring with 14 ppg and was second on the team in rebounding with 5.9 per game. She earned honorable mention all-MIAC honors while finishing 10th in league scoring, second in league FT% (83%), 5th in FG% and 12th in MIAC rebounding. She was also named an Academic All-MIAC Athlete.

3/3/97 Ann Mehrkens and Holly Zollar Repeat on All-MIAC Team

3/3/97 Ann Mehrkens and Holly Zollar repeat on All-MIAC Team .

 3/1/97 The Cobber won their final regular season contest today 74-65 over Hamline. Senior forward Holly Zollar led the Cobbers with 20 points and 9 rebounds. Senior forward Ann Mehrkens scored 15 points, First-year guard Sara Kragerud added 11 points and junior center Leah Sonstelie added 10 points.

Concordia finished the regular season with an MIAC record of 15-5 and was 18-7 overall.

2/22/97 The Cobbers fell at Bethel today 58-50. Concordia fell behind 27-15 at the half, then rallied to get within 1 late in the game, but were unable to catch up. Concordia was led by Ann Mehrkens who scored 16 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Bethel was led by Tara Dutton with 14 points.

The loss dropped the Cobbers to 17-7 overall and 14-5 in the MIAC.

2/19/97 Ann Mehrkens hit the 1000 point plateau tonight with a layup at the 8:26 point of the 2nd half as Concordia defeated Augsburg 73-57 at the Cobber Fieldhouse. Mehrkens also grabbed 7 rebounds to put her at 699 for her Cobber career. Mehrkens led the Cobbers with 20 points. Leah Sonstelie added 17 for the home squad. The Auggies were led at the offensive end by Stephanie Lodermeier with 21 points. Tara Oseland added 17.

(See Forum Story) See Box Score (See Concordian Story)

Concordia improved its overall record to 17-6, 14-4 in the MIAC. With Hamline's 73-71 upset of Bethel tonight, The Cobbers moved back into a tie for third in the MIAC .

2/15/97 The Cobbers fell today to St. Thomas 71-57 at home. The Cobbers were led by Leah Sonstelie with 16 points and 14 points by both Holly Zollar and Ann Mehrkens. For the Tommies, Kirsten Vipond and Teri Witcraft each had 14 points. Concordia dropped to 13-4 in the MIAC and 16-6 overall. (See Forum Story) See Box Score (See Concordian Story)

It was the Tommies' 51st consecutive MIAC win. The Tommies are now 16-0 in the MIAC, 20-1 overall. 

2/11 97 The Cobbers were ranked 9th in today's West Region NCAA Poll. The top eight teams in the region at the end of the season generally advance to the NCAA Tournament. St. Thomas, Concordia's opponent on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 1:00, is ranked No. 1 in the Region. St. Ben's in No. 2 and Bethel is No. 8. (See Concordian Story)

2/10/97 The Cobbers beat St. Mary's at home 74-53 tonight. The win was the team's fifth consecutive, moving them to 16-5 overall and 13-3 in the MIAC. Leah Sonstelie and Mindy Schirm each had 15 points and Ann Mehrkens added 11. (See Forum Story) (See Also Winona Daily News Story) (See Concordian Story)

2/8/97 The Cobber won again at St. Olaf this afternoon 80-47. Concordia was led by Leah Sonstelie with 15 points. Mindy Schirm and Ann Mehrkens each added 12 points. All twelve team members scored at least 2 points. Concordfia moved to 12-3 15-5 in the MIAC. St. Olaf fell to 5-10, 10-10. (See Box Score) (See Concordian Story)

See Earlier Cobber Game Recaps

1996-97 Cobber Box Scores